Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-05-10
The U. s. Senatorship.


the power Of the Legislature to elect.
The voting was practically about the
same as at the regular session for
seven ballots, after which Mr.. Cam
denis name was withdrawn, and on
the eighth ballot Judge Charles James
Faulkner, of this circuit, was elected.
There were 80 members present; of
this number As were required to elect.
The vote resulted as follows: G. J..
Faulkner, (dem. } 4S; Flick (rep., }
81; Barbee, (greenback,) G; Cam
den, (dem. } 1; R. S. Brown, l; Whit
taker, 2.
The question as to who shall be the
colleague of Mr.. Kenna in the U. S.
Senate for the next two or six years
will now be left to that body to de-
eide, and what will be the result,
there is no one able to forecast
There is one thing, however, beyond
peradventure; and that is, that
whether Mr.. Lucas or Judge Faulk-
ner be admitted, the State will be
well and ably represented. The Sem
atorial question is now out of the
Legislature, and let us hope that the
best results may flow from the pro-
tracted and bitter contest which has
engaged the Democratic party of this
State for some time past.
The following communication from
Judge Faulkner was read before the
Senate and House on Friday, and by
both bodies ordered to be spread upon
the journals:
MARTINsBURG, w. VA,
May 5, 1887.
To Senator J. III. Gettinger:
Express to the Legislature of West
Virginia my warm appreciation of the
honor conferred on me by their ac-
ton in electing me to the exalted po-
sition of United States Senator from
their State. Assure them that my
best energies and all the ability which
God has given me will be devoted to
the promotion of the best interests of
our State and to the advancement and
dignity of our common country.
[Signedl
CHARLES J. FAULKNER.
The following is a sketch of the
uewly-elected Senator's life:
Judge Faulkner is the younger son
of the late Hon. G.. J. Faulkner, the
eminent jurist and statesman, both of
whose sons give promise Of attaining
the legal and political prominence Of
their father in State and national at
fairs.
Judge Faulkner was born at the
ancestral home at Martinsburg, Va,
now West Virginia, on the 21st of
September, 1917. He accompanied
his father who was minister to France
in 1859 and had the advantage of at
tending noted schools in Switzerland
and France. He returned to the
United States in August, 1861, and
arrest in Washington, the story of
which has become matter of national
history familiar to all in 1862. When
a boy of fifteen he entered the Vir-
ginia Military Institute at Lexington.
He served with the cadets in the bat
tie of New Market, where he was dis
tinguished for his ardor and daring,
and later served as Aide on the staff of
General J. G. Breckenridge until the
General was made Secretary of War.
His courageous ard resolute bearing
in one so young in years won for him
the admiration of officers and soldiers
and made him general favorite.-
He was afterward appointed an Aide
to General Henry A. Wise and sur
rendered with him at Appamattox,
after which he returned home.
Then began a course of mental
training under his fathers direction,
and the foundation was there laid for
successful public life. The bent of
this instruction and watchful care was
toward the field of law, in which the
father occupied through all his life
leading place in the Circuit and Su-
preme Courts. Thus prepared by so
able preceptor he entered the Uni
versity of Virginia in October, 1866,
and graduated thercfrom in June,
1868. He was admitted to the bar in
September, 1868, Immediately after
attaining his majority. His mental
endowments were of such high order
that he at once became member of
recognized ability and of such prom
inence as led from the bar to the
bench. He was elected Judge of the
Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, COM
posed of the counties of Berkeley,
Jefferson and Morgan, in October,
1880, at the age of SO years, being
one of the youngest judges in the
State. He has presided over these
counties with credit to himself and to
the universal satisfaction of the peo-
pie, by whom he is held in the high
est regard and esteem. Judge Faulk-
ner was Chairman of the Democratic
County Committee for a number of
years before going on the bench and
is also widely and prominently known
and esteemed in the Masonic fratern-
ity, having been Grand Master of the
Masonic Grand Lodge of West Vir-
ginia during the years 1S79-SO. By
the last will of his father he inherits
"Boydville," the old homestead, after
the death of his mother, place full
of historical interest to citizens and